GLAAD - Gay Youthhttp://www.glaad.org/tags/gay-youth
enLGBT youth organizations go purple for #SpiritDayhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/lgbt-youth-organizations-go-purple-spiritday
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>To support Spirit Day and to condemn the bullying of LGBT youth, myriad youth organizations went purple!</p>
<p><a href="http://campuspride.org">Campus Pride</a>, an organization devoted to creating a safe place for LGBT youth on college campuses, turned their Facebook profile purple in honor of Spirit Day.</p>
<p><img class="media-image" id="2" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/campus%20pride.JPG?itok=EYolt5uD" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://aliforneycenter.org">The Ali Forney Center </a>at NYU, which provides emergency shelter and services to LGBT youth, turned their Twitter profile purple.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img class="media-image" id="3" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/1200px/public/ali%20forney.JPG?itok=FGPsxGUk" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>The<a href="http://gsanetwork.org"> GSA Network</a> gave a special Twitter shout-out to honor Spirit Day!</p>
<p><img class="media-image" id="3" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/1200px/public/GSANetwork_Twitter.PNG?itok=gaNTZACX" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>They turned their Facebook purple too!</p>
<p><img class="media-image" height="382" id="3" width="620" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/1200px/public/GSANetwork_FB.PNG?itok=CpOe0aGG" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://thetrevorproject.org">The Trevor Project</a>, an organization which provides crisis prevention for LGBT youth, took so awesome Spirit Day staff photos!</p>
<p><img class="media-image" id="3" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/1200px/public/Trevor%20Project.png?itok=c81Ls0Eo" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>The<a href="http://hmi.org"> Hetrick-Martin Institute</a>, an NYC based LGBT youth services organization added a purple Spirit Day post to their website!</p>
<p><img class="media-image" id="3" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/1200px/public/Hetrick%20Martin.JPG?itok=P8k3jiJz" alt="" /></p>
<p>On October 17, 2013, celebrities including <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fblog%2foprah-winfrey-goes-purple-spiritday" target="_blank">Oprah</a><u> Winfrey</u>, <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fblog%2fcast-cbs-two-and-half-men-don-purple-berets-spiritday" target="_blank">Ashton Kutcher</a>, <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fblog%2fguess-what-hot-tv-stars-are-going-purple-spiritday" target="_blank">Betty White</a>, <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fblog%2fdemi-lovato-returns-her-purple-roots-spiritday" target="_blank">Demi Lovato</a>, Jimmy Kimmel, <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fblog%2fnick-cannons-got-spirit-pledges-go-purple-spiritday" target="_blank">Nick Cannon</a>, <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fblog%2fcelebs-showing-support-lgbt-youth-spiritday" target="_blank">Kristen Bell</a>, <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fblog%2fmacklemore-ryan-lewis-give-bullying-bad-rap-2013-spiritday-ambassadors" target="_blank">Macklemore</a>, <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fblog%2fcelebs-showing-support-lgbt-youth-spiritday" target="_blank">Melissa Etheridge</a>, WWE Superstar <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fblog%2fvideo-wwe-superstar-darren-young-takes-stand-against-bullying-spiritday" target="_blank">Darren Young</a> and more went purple for the fourth annual Spirit Day. Eric McCormack &amp; Debra Messing also <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fblog%2fwill-grace-reunite-and-celebrate-spiritday-today" target="_blank">wore purple ribbons during a Will &amp; Grace reunion</a> – as did <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fblog%2ftlc-talent-spiritday-purple-support-lgbt-youth" target="_blank">TLC's Stacy London</a> - on TODAY. <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fblog%2fdaytime-talk-shows-spill-their-support-spiritday" target="_blank">Hosts of shows</a> including Access Hollywood, <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fblog%2felvis-duran-and-morning-show-brings-spiritday-music-lovers-across-country" target="_blank">Elvis Duran and the Morning Show</a>, Extra, Good Morning America and the Wendy Williams Show also wore purple and spoke about Spirit Day on-air. <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fblog%2fwhite-house-takes-stand-against-bullying-spiritday" target="_blank">The White House</a> sent out messages of support on Twitter and tumblr. Sports leagues including <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fblog%2fmajor-league-baseball-joins-nationwide-support-spiritday-lgbt-youth" target="_blank">Major League Baseball</a>, <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fblog%2fmlb-mls-nba-nfl-nhl-ufc-wnba-wwe-and-athletes-score-big-spiritday" target="_blank">Major League Soccer</a>, the <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fblog%2fmlb-mls-nba-nfl-nhl-ufc-wnba-wwe-and-athletes-score-big-spiritday" target="_blank">NBA</a>, the <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fblog%2fmlb-mls-nba-nfl-nhl-ufc-wnba-wwe-and-athletes-score-big-spiritday" target="_blank">NFL</a>, the <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fblog%2fspiritday-on-ice-nhl-goes-purple-against-bullying" target="_blank">NHL</a> and the <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fblog%2fmlb-mls-nba-nfl-nhl-ufc-wnba-wwe-and-athletes-score-big-spiritday" target="_blank">WNBA</a> participated on social media. And companies like <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fblog%2fvideo-american-eagle-landmark-spirit-acceptance" target="_blank">American Eagle Outfitters</a>, <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fblog%2fcomcast-and-nbcuniversal-going-purple-spiritday-oct-17" target="_blank">NBCUniversal</a>, <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fblog%2fdaytime-talk-shows-spill-their-support-spiritday" target="_blank">MTV</a>, The <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fblog%2fcoca-cola-company-supports-lgbt-youth-spiritday-1017" target="_blank">Coca-Cola</a><u> Company</u> and <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fblog%2fjohnson-johnson-supports-lgbt-youth-spiritday-0" target="_blank">Johnson &amp; Johnson</a> took a stand, along with hundreds of <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fblog%2flandmarks-around-country-are-going-purple-spiritday" target="_blank">landmarks</a>, <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fspiritday%2fschools" target="_blank">schools</a>, <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fspiritday%2ffaith" target="_blank">faith groups</a>, <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fspiritday%2fmedia" target="_blank">media outlets</a>, <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fspiritday%2fcorporate" target="_blank">companies</a>, and <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fspiritday%2forganizations" target="_blank">organizations</a>. Facebook and Twitter users turned their profile photos purple and posted photos of classmates and coworkers wearing purple, and their messages of support for LGBT youth made <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=https%3a%2f%2ftwitter.com%2fsearch%3fq%3d%2523SpiritDay" target="_blank">#SpiritDay</a> trend on Twitter.</p>
<p>Founded in 2010, Spirit Day is an international, united stand against bullying and show of support for LGBT teens and young adults everywhere. As we look back on Spirit Day 2013, please continue to spread the message and take action against bullying:</p>
<ul><li>Take a look at <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fglaad.org%2fspiritday" target="_blank">photos of who went purple</a> to support LGBT youth</li>
<li><a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fspiritday" target="_blank">Upload your own photos</a> of you wearing purple to our website.</li>
<li>Add your photos to <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2ffacebook.com%2fglaad" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2ftwitter.com%2fglaad" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2finstagram.com%2fglaad" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fglaad.tumblr.com" target="_blank">Tumblr</a> using hashtag <strong>#SpiritDay</strong></li>
<li><a href="https://mail.glaad.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=32b67X85l06bE99e_U43ywNoSfzOn9AIzCW1CElbk5amckvftJgg-TpCdhoWP8YEf_SP9xdHlCk.&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.glaad.org%2fspiritday%2faction" target="_blank">Taking action</a> to stand against bullying year round</li>
</ul><p>Thanks for helping make Spirit Day 2013 a success!</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">October 18, 2013</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/spirit-day">Spirit Day</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/spirit-day-0">#Spirit Day</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/gay-youth">Gay Youth</a></li>
</ul>
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Fri, 18 Oct 2013 19:22:37 +0000patrickkeough68658 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/lgbt-youth-organizations-go-purple-spiritday#commentsFlorida teen facing serious charges filed by her girlfriend's anti-gay parentshttp://www.glaad.org/blog/florida-teen-facing-serious-charges-filed-her-girlfriends-anti-gay-parents
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span id="styles-0-0" class="styles file-styles 750px"> <img src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/freekate.jpg?itok=w66hdm3e" alt="" title="" /></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Kaitlyn Hunt, age 18, is being prosecuted for two felony counts of “lewd and lascivious battery on a child 12-16 years of age” due to her long-term, committed relationship with another teenage girl.</p>
<p>Kaitlyn's parents, in Palm Bay Florida, started a<a href="https://www.change.org/petitions/assistant-state-attorney-brian-workman-stop-the-prosecution-of-an-18-year-old-girl-in-a-same-sex-relationship"> petition on change.org</a> asking Bruce Colton, Indian River County State Attorney and Brian Workman, Assistant State Attorney to drop the charges pressed by the parents of Kaitlyn's girlfriend. </p>
<p>Kaitlyn and her 15 year-old girlfriend had been dating since Kaitlyn was 17. Her girlfriend's parents, unhappy about their daughter's relationship, waited until Kaitlyn turned 18, then pressed charges. Kaitlyn's girlfriend has made it clear that this was a consensual relationship, however her parents blamed Kaitlyn for their daughter's sexual orientation. </p>
<p>Kaitlyn has now been expelled from Florida's Sebastian River High School where she achieved good grades and participated in cheerleading, basketball and chorus. Kaitlyn, who was even voted “most school spirit”, is now facing serious felony charges, simply because she fell in love with a fellow teenager and her girlfriend's parents were not accepting. If she is convicted Kaitlyn could face prison or house arrest, would have to register as a sex offender and live out the rest of her life labled as a convicted felon. </p>
<p>Diligent action is needed to convince Bruce Colton and Brian Workman to drop the charges pressed against 18 year old Kaitlyn and give her the opportunity to pursue the fulfilling life she deserves to lead.<a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/assistant-state-attorney-brian-workman-stop-the-prosecution-of-an-18-year-old-girl-in-a-same-sex-relationship"> </a><a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/assistant-state-attorney-brian-workman-stop-the-prosecution-of-an-18-year-old-girl-in-a-same-sex-relationship">The petition on change.org</a> has over 58,000 signatures from those showing their support for Kaitlyn. Her parents are aiming for 75,000 signatures in hope that the voices of those who recognize this as unfair will convince Colton and Workman to drop the charges against their daughter. We encourage you to add your support and signature at change.org to ensure Kaitlyn is treated fairly, and that the law is not being used against her simply because she was in a same-sex relationship. </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">May 20, 2013</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/young-adult">Young Adult</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/florida">Florida</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/gay-youth">Gay Youth</a></li>
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</div>
Mon, 20 May 2013 20:44:06 +0000katybutler65991 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/florida-teen-facing-serious-charges-filed-her-girlfriends-anti-gay-parents#commentsNew Study Highlights Postive Experience Team Sports Can Be For LGBT Youthhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/new-study-highlights-postive-experience-team-sports-can-be-lgbt-youth
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span id="styles-1-0" class="styles file-styles 750px"> <img id="1" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/New-GLSEN-logo-tag3.jpg?itok=wFuX6Uyc" alt="" title="" /></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>The Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network (<a href="http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/home/index.html">GLSEN</a>) has published <a href="http://www.glsen.org/binary-data/GLSEN_ATTACHMENTS/file/000/002/2140-1.pdf"><em>The Experiences of LGBT Students in School Athletics</em></a>. The study examined over 8,500 LGBT middle and high school students aged 13-20 from all 50 states. The report looked to examine all aspects of the school athletic experience for LGBT youth.</p>
<p>GLSEN found that physical education classes can sometimes foster an unsafe environment for LGBT students and many LGBT students experienced discrimination and harassment in school sports. The study found that more than half of LGBT students were bullied or harassed during athletics because of their sexual orientation or gender expression. This would explain why 32.3% of LGBT youth said they avoided gym class, 39% avoided locker rooms, and 22.8% avoided athletic fields and facilities. Additionally, for those LGBT students who participated in school sponsored athletics, over 27% reported ever having been harassed or bullied for their sexual orientation and over 29% for their gender expression.</p>
<p><img class="media-image" height="203" id="29" style="margin: 5px; float: left; height: 203px; width: 300px;;;" width="300" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Carr_Athletic_Field_000.jpg?itok=4d-tpfju" alt="" />The reason why many LGBT student athletes reported feeling bullied or harassed in their school's athletics environment might be because of the studies finding that LGBT student athletes may not feel fully supported by athletics staff and school policies. LGBT student athletes stated that they would feel more likely to participate in athletics and less likely to avoid sports in school if they felt comfortable talking to their PE teachers or coaches about LGBT issues, or if their schools enacted comprehensive anti-bullying policies.</p>
<p>Both the perceived and legitimate lack of support of LGBT students in athletics may be what leads to the study's finding that LGBT students may be underrepresented on extracurricular sports teams. It states that only about 23.2% of LGBT students participated in interscholastic sports, which is less than half as likely as their straight peers (47.8%). Even more saddening is that only 6.1% of LGBT student-athletes served a leadership role on their team, barely over 1% of all LGBT student-athletes. Perhaps this underrepresentation in athletics and in team leadership roles has to do with the lack of support for LGBT athletes or perhaps it is due to discrimination. Whatever the correlation, the numbers are not where they should be.</p>
<p>However, the study also finds that LGBT students who played on school based sports teams actually reported better academic and mental health outcomes than did LGBT peers who chose to abstain from interscholastic sports. Not only did LGBT athletes have higher overall GPAs than LGBT non-athletes but they also reported higher senses of self-esteem and more positive feelings associated with belonging to their school community.</p>
<p><img class="media-image" height="180" id="29" style="float: right; height: 180px; width: 270px;;;" width="270" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/ObesitySports_Blog.jpg?itok=HFI0l4h6" alt="" />There is a divide between reality and perception in the level of support for LGBT people in athletics. This study should be a resource utilized by coaches, teachers, administration, and student peers of LGBT middle and high school students across the nation. The numbers prove that participating in school sponsored athletics is a positive and beneficial experience to the development of self-esteem and a sense of belonging in a young LGBT student. If school administration and student peers can open themselves up to discussions about LGBT issues and show that a positive environment for LGBT athletes could be created, then many LGBT students would feel comfortable participating on athletic teams.</p>
<p>Athletics are where youth should go to feel safe and comfortable among a devoted and supportive team and lose themselves in the sport they love. Whether LGBT youth prevent themselves from participating in sports because of perceived or actual discrimination and harassment is not important. The fact, in general, that these youth feel their sexuality or gender expression would prevent them from being accepted is why despite all the recent progress, the sports world is still one of the last mainstays of tolerated LGBT discrimination.</p>
<p>Sexuality and gender identity should not be an issue in the athletic arena. And when a team or program is accepting and welcoming of LGBT athletes, those things are not issues. It's when those student-athletes are harassed, or feel unsupported, or leave sports altogether that they become issues.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">February 21, 2013</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/news">News</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/sports">Sports</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/young-adult">Young Adult</a></li>
</ul>
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<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/lgbt-sports">LGBT Sports</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/sports">Sports</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/gay-youth">Gay Youth</a></li>
</ul>
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Thu, 21 Feb 2013 21:46:19 +0000elliottmoore62574 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/new-study-highlights-postive-experience-team-sports-can-be-lgbt-youth#commentsAre Anti-Gay Messages Bad For Your Health?http://www.glaad.org/blog/are-anti-gay-messages-bad-your-health
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img class="media-image" id="3" style="float: left; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; ;" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/sticksandsto.jpeg?itok=63HB8SHS" alt="" />Science says yes. A <a href="http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/08/28/study-phrase-thats-so-gay-causes-lasting-harm/" target="_blank">study</a> by University of Michigan researchers asked 114 lesbian, gay and bisexual college students to report the number of times they heard the phrase, “that’s so gay,” on campus in the past year and then answer questions about their perceived social acceptance, their well-being, and their willingness to come out about their sexual orientation. More than half of the students reported hearing the phrase more than ten times in twelve months, and those who heard it the most were more likely to report feeling isolated and to suffer negative health symptoms, such as headaches or poor appetite.</p>
<p>Assistant professor of social work and study author Michael Woodford on the findings and their implications for how administrators address “low-level hostility,” saying, “That’s so gay’ conveys that there is something wrong with being gay. And, hearing such messages about one’s self can cause stress, which can manifest in headaches and other health concerns…Policies and educational programs are needed to help students, staff and faculty to understand that such language can be harmful to gay students.”</p>
<p>And it’s not just the words of classmates that can hurt. The impact of anti-LGBT messages was recognized by the Minnesota chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, which recently came out in <a href="http://www.startribune.com/local/blogs/167712285.html" target="_blank">opposition of the state’s proposed ban</a> on marriage equality and noted its likelihood the increase the social stigma its patients face. GLAAD encourages journalists to utilize the findings of this social science study when reporting on the impact of anti-gay bias. Words do matter, and the media should account for their potential to harm the LGBT community. </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">August 29, 2012</span></div></div></div>
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<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/news">News</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/local-and-regional-news">Local and Regional News</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/young-adult">Young Adult</a></li>
</ul>
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<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/university-michigan">University of Michigan</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/study">Study</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/social-science">social science</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/anti-gay">anti-gay</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/anti-gay-language">anti-gay language</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/anti-gay-bias">anti-gay bias</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/college">college</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/gay-students">Gay Students</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/gay-youth">Gay Youth</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Wed, 29 Aug 2012 18:32:05 +0000daniheffernan59266 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/are-anti-gay-messages-bad-your-health#commentsVideo: PFLAG partners with Johnson & Johnson, Walgreens to combat bullyinghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/video-pflag-partners-johnson-johnson-walgreens-combat-bullying
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img class="media-image" height="197" id="3" style="width: 407px; height: 197px;" width="407" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/1200px/public/care_w_pride_jpg_version.jpg?itok=PKwjL8Hb" alt="" />Care with Pride is a groundbreaking new anti-bullying initiative dedicated to ending bullying of all students, but with a specific focus on LGBT youth. The program marks a combined effort between corporate sponsors Johnson &amp; Johnson Family of Consumer Companies and Walgreens with Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). The goal is to address bullying through a combined effort of national media, regional events, and digital resources.</p>
<p>Check out this YouTube video of Ellen’s mom, Betty DeGeneres, announcing the partnership of Johnson &amp; Johnson, Walgreens and PFLAG!</p>
<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ti5wrQGG794" frameborder="0" height="225" width="400"></iframe></p>
<p>Care with Pride will <a href="http://www.walgreens.com/pride">have retail displays in 500 Walgreens locations throughout the US</a>, where the Safe Schools Action Pack will be distributed.</p>
<p>Scott Creighton, Global Vice President, Marketing Excellence Group, Johnson &amp; Johnson Family of Consumer Companies said, “As a Corporation that is committed to the health and care for all people, the Johnson &amp; Johnson Family of Consumer Companies is focused on continuing to uphold diversity and equality through a range of efforts externally as well as within our own organization. By partnering with PFLAG, we are helping to further their very important work to end bullying and create safer schools for all children.”</p>
<p>This is a tremendous focus on LGBT-related bullying outside of conventional LGBT spaces. The Pack contains a booklet that lists PFLAG’s top ten ways to make schools safer for all students, plus $65 worth of coupons and rebates from a variety of brands including Tylenol PM, Listerine, Listerine Whitening, Rembrandt, and Rogaine. Care with Pride is designed to engage and interact with consumers and will be supported by advertisements in LGBT and general media. One million Safe Schools Action Packs will be distributed throughout the United States, reaching consumers everywhere. Additionally Johnson &amp; Johnson will make a donation of up to $300,000 and feature an exhibit at more than 40 Pride Festivals.</p>
<p>For more information, explore the Care with Pride™<a href="http://www.walgreens.com/pride"> website here!</a></p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">June 11, 2012</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/young-adult">Young Adult</a></li>
</ul>
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<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/anti-lgbt-bullying">anti-lgbt bullying</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/pflag">PFLAG</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/gay-youth">Gay Youth</a></li>
</ul>
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Thu, 31 May 2012 15:17:29 +0000jamesclementi55352 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/video-pflag-partners-johnson-johnson-walgreens-combat-bullying#commentsCalling on Young Out Athletes for Documentaryhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/calling-young-out-athletes-documentary
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p></p><p><img class="media-image" id="21" style="FLOAT: right" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/athlete_runner.jpg?itok=nBEOR9ro" alt="" />Are you a middle school or high school student who is an athlete and identifies as gay or do you know someone who is? If the answer is yes, are you interested in taking part in a documentary project, The Last Closet, about being gay in pro-sports?<br /><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/thelastcloset/" target="_blank">The Last Closet</a> is a documentary project aimed at uncovering the truths of homophobia in professional men’s sports. Of the project the <a href="http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2011/12/28/the-last-closet-is-looking-for-a-young-gay-athlete/?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=the-last-closet-is-looking-for-a-young-gay-athlete" target="_blank">producers say</a>, “There has never been, in all of U.S. sports history, a gay athlete in any of the top five sports who has come out publicly while they were playing. Our video project and web campaign is a quest to find out why this is…and a vehicle to pave the way for this historic event to unfold.”<br /><br />Specifically, the project is looking for a young athlete to take part in the project who has dreams of becoming a pro and is out to friends, family and team. They envision the young athlete taking part in the project as a co-interviewer with sports columnist Cyd Zeigler. They prefer to work with a student in the New York or California area, but will consider other locations.<br /><br />Woman Vision is producing The Last Closet with filmmakers Dee Mosbacher and Fawn Yacker. If you are interested in participating or know someone who might be, you can contact Fawn Yacker at <a href="mailto:TheLastCloset@gmail.com">TheLastCloset@gmail.com</a>.<br /> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">December 28, 2011</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/entertainment">Entertainment</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/film">Film</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/sports">Sports</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/young-adult">Young Adult</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/lgbt-sports">LGBT Sports</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/lgbt-youth">LGBT youth</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/gay-youth">Gay Youth</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/gay-athletes">Gay Athletes</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/woman-vision">Woman Vision</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/last-closet">The Last Closet</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:02:23 +0000elanastone46376 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/calling-young-out-athletes-documentary#comments